England Saxons vs Ireland A

[cables]

The final team has been named from the initial 22 man squad named on Tuesday.

Denis Hurley has failed to recover in time for the game from his leg injury, so Gavin Duffy comes into the squad and starts the game at full back. Winger Johne Murphy, who was also named in the initial squad, is now unavailable and his place is taken by Fionn Carr, who starts on the right wing.

Marcus Horan and Rory Best start at prop and hooker respectively as they aim to increase their game time after recovering from injury. Paddy Wallace and Peter Stringer form the halfback partnership alongside Fergus McFadden and Keith Matthews at centre.

IRELAND 'A' Team & Replacement (v England Saxons, Recreation Ground, Sunday, January 31, kick-off 2pm):

15 - Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Fionn Carr (Galwegians/Connacht)
13 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
12 - Keith Matthews (Buccaneers/Connacht)
11 - Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster)
10 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
9 - Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)

1 - Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
4 - Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster) Captain
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
6 - Shane Jennings (St.Mary's College/Leinster)
7 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)

Replacements:
16 - John Fogarty (De La Salle Palmerston/Leinster)
17 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
18 - Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)
19 - Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)
20 - Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster)
21 - Ian Humphries (Ballymena/Ulster)
22 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

[Gemma]

Nothing to do with Hugo being on the bench (I know you won't believe me!) but I won't be able to make it after all. Do some cheering for me folks!

[Jackie Brown]

Is it to do with Gavin Duffy starting Gemma?

[Gemma]

.....yes, that'll work. It's because Duffy's starting

[Rooster]

Rory starting

[Gemma]

It'll be good to see Rory back on the pitch again, it seems like ages since he's been playing.

[Rooster]

Is it to do with Gavin Duffy starting Gemma?

Funny enough Jackie I had the same head banging problem when I saw Duffy

[ColinM]

At least Duffy was only brought in as a last minute replacement. Better than the days when he was on the bench for the senior team.

Is there any point in Paddy playing 10 whatsoever???? At least hope it doesnt give McL any big ideas

[for dog and ulcer]

Just noticed that this game is live on SKY!!!EXCELLENT.

[Windeos]

I'm surprised McFadden is starting ahead of Cave because Cave has been on form in the last few games and really looking sharp.

[Glynncommando]

Rory starting

Superb news. Great to see him back.
GC

[ColinM]

I'm surprised McFadden is starting ahead of Cave because Cave has been on form in the last few games and really looking sharp.

With all provincial bias aside, I'd rate Fergus McFadden ahead of Cave I'm afraid.

[bogboy]

I wouldn't read to much into the pecking order of selection because there is another "A" game next week and I doubt if the same players will be chosen .

What is does reflect is the DK desire to "blood as many as possible into the "A" set up to assess his potential WC squad

Of the two McFadden and Cave I'd rate Cave a better centre but McFadden has the extra string as a place kicker and every good side should have 2

[Snipe Watson]

I'm surprised McFadden is starting ahead of Cave because Cave has been on form in the last few games and really looking sharp.

Cave has just come back from a while on the bench and as far as I know he wasn't injured.

[bogboy]

I think his ankle was giving trouble either that or a dead leg